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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to differentiate between vacuum robots and mop hybrids. But if you’re on a budget, one major factor to consider is whether it has a roller mop. A roller mop cleans hard floors better by preventing dirty water from spreading and is more effective at removing heavy-duty messes, similar to wiping up a mess with a wet towel. The new Eufy Omni C28 is the “most budget-friendly roller mop robot vacuum,” according to Mashable, and right now it's 38% off for the Amazon Big Spring Sale, bringing it to a record-low price of $499.99 (originally $799.99). Eufy Omni C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop $799.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $799.99 at Amazon Along with being surprisingly affordable for its extra-long roller design, the C28 is a compact choice for apartments and smaller homes with a dock that takes up less space than other auto-washing and drying hybrid cleaners. The one drawback is the 15,000 Pa suction power, which, on the surface, appears underwhelming compared to higher-powered options costing four figures. Despite this, professional and consumer reviews consistently state that the C28 leaves floors sparkling and dust-free, especially when the wet, pressurized roller mop does double duty. It also performs well in smart mapping, with setup taking just a couple of minutes. While the 10.7-inch roller mop (which self-cleans with clean water nine times a second) is the main standout feature, the robot vacuum’s 4.5-inch height may not be slim enough to fit under some dishwashers and low-clearance furniture or cabinets. And despite 15,000 Pa suction, it can be a little noisy, particularly during the auto-empty process. It can cross thresholds up to 20 mm, and the roller mop lifts up to 10.8 mm when carpeting is detected. The five-in-one base station keeps the C28 hands-free for up to 75 days, handling mop cleaning, dust removal, water tank refilling, wastewater collection, and hot-air drying, which runs a bit faster than competitors thanks to a four-air duct system. If you want a genuinely hands-free setup with an effective self-cleaning roller mop, the mid-range Eufy Omni C28 robot vacuum and mop is a solid option, offering great value for near-high-end features at less than half the price, especially during the Amazon Big Spring Sale, when it’s at its lowest price ever. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 128GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Gray) — $202.00 (List Price $249.99) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

BEST practices are often viewed as the key to success in the business world. Certifications to prove practitioners are competent in accordance with a best practice make sense at the surface. However, they’ve become psychological cover that create mediocre results at best. It’s reassuring to be able to point at the protocol and say, “I followed the best practice. It’s not my fault.” Take project management, for example. Most project managers I’ve met (my younger self included) come from technical backgrounds who love best practices. I genuinely thought project management was about following the best practice and forcing people to follow my plan. Spoiler alert: That didn’t work. With today’s disruption and volatility, “business as usual” means little when there’s no “usual” anywhere in sight. Although Disruption and Volatility would make great names for a law firm, they require an adaptive approach to ensure survival and sustainability. Best practices bring a false measure of certainty for keeping threats at bay. However, they’re largely irrelevant as they’re developed by looking in the rearview mirror according to what worked under the conditions at that time. The solution is enhancing critical thinking to navigate complexity in real time. These days, to be successful, you need to be adaptable. This requires developing the critical thinking skills to solve the unique challenges your situation presents. To do so, follow these tips: 1. Don’t Mistake Motion for Mastery Attending endless meetings, always agreeing with leadership, escalating decisions, and “checking the boxes” that show you observed the best practice are all compliance-based behavior. You feel like you’re providing value but are really providing only a superficial benefit. Busy work consumes energy. It moves the needle little in terms of value delivered. This puts your organization and yourself at risk. Mastery comes from thoughtful distillation to what matters. Condense your work down to its essence — the 1 percent that really moves the needle. This involves having the important coaching conversation to shift the thinking of a team member, sharing the contrarian viewpoint that no one else sees, or carving out time for learning and growth to build new thinking. These are all leverage plays that return far more over time than they consume. 2. Understand That Best Practices Become So in Hindsight I started my career in engineering and realized early on that the work I did was a “good enough” approximation of the real-world physics my designs operated in. This allowed me to build things that consistently worked at a reasonable cost. Best practices are an approximation of what works in the real world. However, they’re only a snapshot of what worked at one point in time in the past. The business environment evolves rapidly at an ever-increasing rate of change. Best practices are backward-looking and largely irrelevant to the modern environment in which we try to apply them. This is why we talk of “better” practices and not “best” practices. You should always be getting better in the system in which you operate. Once you think you’ve arrived at the “best,” there’s no point to continue getting better. That leads to complacency. 3. Realize That Value Lies Beneath the Surface Understand what the organization you work within truly values. I often find when working with clients, whatever leadership thinks provides value in terms of outcomes are in tension with what leaders actually show they value day to day. For example, they may say the organization needs to be the top innovator in its industry globally. Then, leaders micromanage, reinforce compliance, and criticize mistakes. You can’t get to innovation if you value compliance, shame risk-taking, and make it intimidating for people to pursue efforts that might come up short. Success comes to those who are brave and can push back against the behavioral norms despite the daily rhetoric. Speak up when it feels uncomfortable. Have one high-leverage conversation tomorrow that you’ve been putting off. I rarely meet leaders who don’t value results when you show them you can achieve them. People who can do this write their own ticket. That means you need to be ready for some social discomfort on your journey to delivering the results your organization truly wants. Best practices are misaligned with the needs of the modern business environment because they’re rooted in yesterday’s logic and provide convenient psychological cover. In a world that previously rewarded compliance, many professionals were never required to develop strong critical thinking. That world has shifted. Leaders must move beyond the comfort those practices once provided and focus instead on the high leverage work that creates real outcomes. The willingness to think, question, and adapt is now what separates compliance from true leadership. * * * Kursten Faller a leadership and project management advisor with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations navigate complexity, change, and transformation. Founder of Midgard, a consulting firm, he has worked with executives and teams across sectors, offering executive coaching, leadership development, and advisory services. Alan Weiss is a globally recognized consultant, speaker, and author, renowned for his expertise in organizational development and personal growth. As the founder of Summit Consulting Group, Inc., he has advised over 500 leading organizations worldwide, including Merck, Hewlett-Packard, GE, Mercedes-Benz, and the Federal Reserve. The Hidden Project Drivers: Building Behavior that Drives Success (Business Expert Press, April 3, 2026), shares how to deliver outcomes successfully by inspiring rather than controlling. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. * * * View the full article

A bug in Google Ads Editor is causing structured snippet extensions copied between accounts to remain unintentionally linked. When advertisers change the language in one account, it can automatically update the same extension in another. Why we care. This bug creates hidden inconsistencies for advertisers managing multi-market campaigns, especially when different languages are required across accounts. What advertisers are seeing. The issue surfaced while managing Czech and Slovak e-commerce accounts by digital marketer Marcin Wsół. Changing the snippet language in one account triggered the same change in the other. The extensions appear separate but behave as if synced. Zoom in. Using the Google Ads web interface can temporarily correct the issue, however, further edits in Editor may cause the language settings to toggle again. Also. The bug isn’t limited to cross-account use. PPC News Feed founder, Hana Kobzová, founder that copying structured snippets within the same account can also lead to incorrect language settings after edits. Between the lines. Advertisers relying on bulk edits in Editor may unknowingly overwrite localization settings, leading to mismatched messaging across markets. Bottom line. Until fixed, advertisers should double-check structured snippet languages after copying or editing in Google Ads Editor—especially when working across accounts or regions. First seen. This error was first picked up by Wsół, which was picked up by PPC News Feed. View the full article

At SXSW, the future of music and culture is always on display. From packed showcases to surprise sets and branded activations, the festival offers a glimpse of what’s next. But behind every viral moment and seamless event is a workforce SXSW rarely acknowledges: freelancers. They are the sound engineers running live sets, the videographers capturing performances that travel the world, the stage managers keeping showcases on schedule, the photographers, producers, and crew who turn ideas into experiences. SXSW depends on them. I saw this up close at a Latino Victory Fund event during the festival, where filmmaker Robert Rodriguez took the stage to celebrate Los Lobos — an iconic band that has shaped generations of music and culture — and the documentary premiere, Native Sons. It was the kind of moment SXSW is known for: electric, cross-generational, deeply rooted in place. And like every showcase and panel, it was powered by freelancers—producers, technicians, videographers, and crews whose labor makes these moments possible, and who too often remain invisible. Independent workers now make up a massive share of the U.S. workforce, with more than 60 million Americans freelancing today—nearly two in five workers—up from roughly one in three pre-pandemic.¹ The “future of work” SXSW celebrates isn’t something on the horizon. It’s already here. And yet, the conditions under which many of these workers operate remain anything but forward-looking. And the stakes are not abstract. According to a recent Freelancers Union survey, 82% of freelancers say healthcare access influences how they vote—a powerful signal that economic insecurity in this sector is shaping political behavior in real time. With the world’s eyes on Texas during a pivotal election year, Congressman Greg Casar figured prominently at this year’s festival. Speaking at Axios House, he made a clear case that Democrats must prove they are delivering for working people —especially Latino workers — are driving much of the country’s economic growth. But at SXSW, that question isn’t abstract. It’s embodied by the freelancers powering the festival itself—workers whose economic realities too often fall outside the protections policymakers claim to champion. We cannot continue to celebrate the future of work on stage while ignoring the conditions of the people doing that work behind the scenes. In New York, we passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, guaranteeing freelancers the right to a written contract and timely payment. It’s simple: if you do the work, you should get paid—on time and in full. It works. But step outside New York, including to places like Texas where SXSW takes place, and those protections disappear. That gap matters—not just for freelancers, but for the future SXSW claims to represent, and a future we are not waiting for. Millions of Americans are already building careers as independent workers across the industries that power our cultural and economic life. The question isn’t whether freelance work will grow. It’s whether we will build an economy that respects it. Festivals like SXSW have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to lead. That means more than putting creators on stage. It means committing to fair standards behind the scenes: contracts, timely payment, and basic protections for the people who make the entire ecosystem possible. fIt also means policymakers must catch up. States across the country should adopt and expand laws like Freelance Isn’t Free so that a worker’s rights don’t end at a city or state line. If SXSW is where the future comes into focus, it should also be where we decide what kind of future we’re building—one where creativity is celebrated and protected, and where the workers behind the scenes are finally recognized as essential to the story. Congressman Greg Casar speaking at Axios House1 Upwork Research Institute, Freelance Forward 2023: The Growing Freelance Workforce in the United States, 2023, https://www.upwork.com/research/freelance-forward-2023-research-report; see also Gig Economy Data Hub (Rockefeller Institute of Government), “Freelance Forward Data Sources,” https://gigeconomydata.org/research/data-sources/freelance-forward.html. View the full article

At SXSW, the future of music and culture is always on display. From packed showcases to surprise sets and branded activations, the festival offers a glimpse of what’s next. But behind every viral moment and seamless event is a workforce SXSW rarely acknowledges: freelancers. They are the sound engineers running live sets, the videographers capturing performances that travel the world, the stage managers keeping showcases on schedule, the photographers, producers, and crew who turn ideas into experiences. SXSW depends on them. I saw this up close at a Latino Victory Fund event during the festival, where filmmaker Robert Rodriguez took the stage to celebrate Los Lobos — an iconic band that has shaped generations of music and culture — and the documentary premiere, Native Sons. It was the kind of moment SXSW is known for: electric, cross-generational, deeply rooted in place. And like every showcase and panel, it was powered by freelancers—producers, technicians, videographers, and crews whose labor makes these moments possible, and who too often remain invisible. Independent workers now make up a massive share of the U.S. workforce, with more than 60 million Americans freelancing today—nearly two in five workers—up from roughly one in three pre-pandemic.¹ The “future of work” SXSW celebrates isn’t something on the horizon. It’s already here. And yet, the conditions under which many of these workers operate remain anything but forward-looking. And the stakes are not abstract. According to a recent Freelancers Union survey, 82% of freelancers say healthcare access influences how they vote—a powerful signal that economic insecurity in this sector is shaping political behavior in real time. With the world’s eyes on Texas during a pivotal election year, Congressman Greg Casar figured prominently at this year’s festival. Speaking at Axios House, he made a clear case that Democrats must prove they are delivering for working people —especially Latino workers — are driving much of the country’s economic growth. But at SXSW, that question isn’t abstract. It’s embodied by the freelancers powering the festival itself—workers whose economic realities too often fall outside the protections policymakers claim to champion. We cannot continue to celebrate the future of work on stage while ignoring the conditions of the people doing that work behind the scenes. In New York, we passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, guaranteeing freelancers the right to a written contract and timely payment. It’s simple: if you do the work, you should get paid—on time and in full. It works. But step outside New York, including to places like Texas where SXSW takes place, and those protections disappear. That gap matters—not just for freelancers, but for the future SXSW claims to represent, and a future we are not waiting for. Millions of Americans are already building careers as independent workers across the industries that power our cultural and economic life. The question isn’t whether freelance work will grow. It’s whether we will build an economy that respects it. Festivals like SXSW have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to lead. That means more than putting creators on stage. It means committing to fair standards behind the scenes: contracts, timely payment, and basic protections for the people who make the entire ecosystem possible. fIt also means policymakers must catch up. States across the country should adopt and expand laws like Freelance Isn’t Free so that a worker’s rights don’t end at a city or state line. If SXSW is where the future comes into focus, it should also be where we decide what kind of future we’re building—one where creativity is celebrated and protected, and where the workers behind the scenes are finally recognized as essential to the story. Congressman Greg Casar speaking at Axios House1 Upwork Research Institute, Freelance Forward 2023: The Growing Freelance Workforce in the United States, 2023, https://www.upwork.com/research/freelance-forward-2023-research-report; see also Gig Economy Data Hub (Rockefeller Institute of Government), “Freelance Forward Data Sources,” https://gigeconomydata.org/research/data-sources/freelance-forward.html. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Apple products are notoriously expensive. Whether you're an Apple fan or an Apple hater, we can all agree: These things aren't cheap. That's why shopping holidays, like Amazon's Big Spring Sale, can be a great time to save on typically pricey devices. While this Spring Sale doesn't have deals on most of Apple's latest iPhones or Apple Watches, there are some great discounts on previous-gen devices—as well as one sale on a brand-new iPad. iPad A16 (256GB) $359.10 at Amazon $499.00 Save $139.90 Get Deal Get Deal $359.10 at Amazon $499.00 Save $139.90 Apple Watch Ultra 2 $399.49 at Amazon $450.00 Save $50.51 Get Deal Get Deal $399.49 at Amazon $450.00 Save $50.51 Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular) $499.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Get Deal $499.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $300.00 iPhone 13 (Renewed Premium) $296.05 at Amazon $346.88 Save $50.83 Get Deal Get Deal $296.05 at Amazon $346.88 Save $50.83 iPhone 14 (Renewed Premium) $358.26 at Amazon $383.34 Save $25.08 Get Deal Get Deal $358.26 at Amazon $383.34 Save $25.08 AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (Renewed Premium) $118.15 at Amazon $149.00 Save $30.85 Get Deal Get Deal $118.15 at Amazon $149.00 Save $30.85 SEE 3 MORE iPad A16 dealApple sells a lot of different iPads, some with fancy features and inflated price tags. But most of us really just need Apple's basic slab of glass, which Apple plainly calls "iPad." To be more specific, many call this the iPad A16, as that's the chipset this tablet comes with. It's no M-series SoC, of course, but the A16 has no trouble running iPadOS 26, and I imagine it won't have issues running the latest updates for years to come. This particular iPad only has 128GB of storage, which isn't much for a tablet in 2026. That said, if you can practice some storage management, and keep your iPad use to streaming and cloud storage for the most part, you can snag a cellular iPad for just $359.10. You can pay for a network plan if you want to, giving you the opportunity to use your iPad anywhere you can get cell service. Apple Watch Ultra 2 dealThe Apple Watch Ultra line is designed for extreme use cases, like intense hiking, diving, or swimming. But its features can also be good for casual athletes, or anyone who wants the biggest watch display Apple makes. While Apple's Ultra 3 is $799, you can save a lot of money by buying the previous generation model—especially with this Amazon sale. Right now, Amazon is selling the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $399.49. That's a great deal. While you don't get the Ultra 3's S10 chip or 5G connectivity, the Ultra 2 comes with most of the same fitness features, including a depth gauge to 40m and a siren. It also comes with cellular capabilities baked in—you'd have to spend an extra $100 to get the cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 11. Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular) dealThe Apple Watch Series 10, like the Ultra 2, is the last-gen Apple Watch model. And like the Ultra 2, it's perfectly usable today. In fact, it might be a better value than the Series 11, as it offers a similar suite of features for a discounted price. The real advantage with this model right now, however, is you can score Apple's "premium" Titanium material at a huge discount. Usually, the Titanium Apple Watch starts at $799 for the 46mm option. But during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, you can pick one up for $499. My Apple Watch Series 6 is still going strong, but if it were showing even the slightest sign of failure, I'd be retiring it in favor of this watch in a heartbeat. iPhone 13 (Renewed Premium) dealIf you need a new iPhone, you don't have to go through Apple, or even your carrier. Instead, you can opt for an unlocked, refurbished iPhone, for a fraction of the cost of a brand new unit. In this case, the iPhone 13 might just be a great value: Amazon has Big Spring Deals on the 256GB variant, and prices vary by color. Right now, the cheapest option is the red version, a color Apple doesn't offer anymore on new iPhones, for $296.05. This isn't a brand new iPhone with all the latest bells and whistles, of course, but it's a solid device—even in 2026. It has Apple's A15 Bionic chip, the company's standard 6.1-inch OLED display, two 12MP camera (one wide, one ultra-wide), and full compatibility with the latest version of iOS. Amazon says its Renewed Premium products do not have scratches on the display, nor any cosmetic damage you can see from 12 inches way, and battery life that is great than 90% of the capacity of the product when it was new. iPhone 14 (Renewed Premium) dealAmazon also has a Big Spring Deal on the iPhone 14, if you're willing to pay slightly more for a slightly newer iPhone. That said, the iPhone 14 also uses Apple's A15 Bionic chip, though it has one extra GPU core than the iPhone 13. (You might notice a slight advantage in graphics-intensive apps and games.) The iPhone 14's camera is a bit better, but doesn't break any ground, and it supports Bluetooth 5.3 while the iPhone 13 supports Bluetooth 5. In fact, the only other major difference here is the iPhone 14's lack of physical SIM slot. If you need SIM card support, stick with the iPhone 13. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (Renewed Premium) dealApple's AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation also get a decent discount during the Big Spring Sale—if you're okay buying a pair of Renewed Premium earbuds. Right now, the earbuds are 21% off, meaning you can get a pair of noise cancelling AirPods for just $118.15. That comes with modern AirPods features, like Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio (which adjusts the volume based on your environment), and Conversation Awareness (which automatically lowers the volume when it detects you're speaking). The only hitch here is that these AirPods are not "brand new." Again, these are Renewed Premium, which Amazon asserts have high standards for a refurbished product. That's all well and good for iPhones, but AirPods are another story, since no one wants someone's previously worn earbuds. My hope is that in this case, these are "open box" items, in which someone returned unused AirPods after breaking the seal on the packaging. But as it's impossible to know for sure, it's the risk you take to buy AirPods at a 21% discount. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 128GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Gray) — $202.00 (List Price $249.99) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

If you could earn thousands of dollars more a year just by having a two-minute conversation, would you do it? That might sound like an easy “yes,” but for a lot of people, the answer, surprisingly, is no. At Slate today, I wrote about people who literally never negotiate their salary when they’re offered a job or haven’t had a raise in a long time. Instead, they accept the first number an employer offers, because they’re worried that they’ll look greedy or mercenary — even though the whole reason we work is for pay! You can read it here. The post there’s only one way to get more money at work, and some people won’t do it appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Tufts index projects 9M U.S. jobs at risk from AI. Writers and Authors, Computer Programmers, and Web and Digital Interface Designers top the risk list. The post New AI Jobs Index Ranks 784 Occupations By Loss Risk appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Financial Conduct Authority lowers estimate for loans eligible for compensation schemeView the full article

Google says a new compression algorithm, called TurboQuant, can compress and search massive AI data sets with near-zero indexing time, potentially removing one of the biggest speed limits in modern search systems. What it is. TurboQuant is a way to shrink and organize the data that powers AI and search without losing accuracy. It reduces memory use while keeping results precise and cuts the time to build searchable AI indexes to “virtually zero,” according to the research paper. How it works. Modern search converts content into vectors (lists of numbers that represent meaning). Similar ideas sit close together in this numeric space, and search finds the closest matches. However, these vectors are large and expensive to store and search. TurboQuant addresses this by using much smaller data that behaves almost exactly like the original, through: Smart compression. It rotates the data mathematically to compress it cleanly, like organizing messy items into neat boxes. Error correction. It adds a 1-bit signal to fix small compression errors and preserve accuracy. What it means. Vector search — the system behind semantic search and AI answers — has been slow and expensive at scale. TurboQuant makes it faster and cheaper. Google says it enables faster similarity search, lower memory costs, and real-time processing of massive datasets. Why we care. Google can evaluate far more documents per query, not just a small subset. If/when Google adopts this in Search, AI Overviews could pull from a broader, more precise set of sources, making it easier to generate instant summaries from large data pools. More about TurboQuant: Google: TurboQuant: Redefining AI efficiency with extreme compression Research paper (arXiv): TurboQuant: Online Vector Quantization with Near-optimal Distortion Rate Marie Haynes: TurboQuant has the potential to fundamentally change how Search (and AI) works View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon's Big Spring Sale is nearing its end, but there's still time to take advantage of solid deals for all your fitness needs—here are all the best fitness deals under $100 that are still available. Deals on strength training equipmentIt seems like the heavier you want to lift, the more expensive it's going to get. In the meantime, there are great deals on starter dumbbells, storage solutions, and more: UNNMIIY 5 in 1 adjustable dumbbells, $79.98, down from $109.99 PLKOW storage and weight rack, $79.98, down from $129.99 NICEPEOPLE adjustable weight bench, $64.59, down from $75.99 Resistance bands, $24.98, down from $37.99 If you're willing to go slightly above your $100 budget, I recommend opting for these Lifepro adjustable dumbbells, currently on sale for $150.09, down from $189.99. UNNMIIY Adjustable Dumbbells, 20/30/45/70/90lbs Free Weight Set with Connector,5 in1 Dumbbells Set Used as Barbell, Kettlebells, Push up Stand, Fitness Exercises for Home Gym Suitable Men/Women $79.98 at Amazon $109.99 Save $30.01 Get Deal Get Deal $79.98 at Amazon $109.99 Save $30.01 Deals on fitness trackersThe Fitbit Inspire 3 is on sale for $69.95, down from $99.95. If you want a simple, minimalist fitness tracker, this is a great way to grab one on the cheap. The Inspire 3 is, in many ways, a pared-down Charge 6, and I simply have to mention that the Fitbit Charge 6 is currently $119.95, down from $159.95. If you're stuck deciding between these two budget options, I recommend reading my colleague Beth Skwarecki's review of the Charge 6 here. For a reliable chest strap, the Polar H10—widely regarded as the best heart rate monitor out there—is on sale for $76.99, down from $104.99. Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Walmart $89.95 Save $20.00 Get Deal Get Deal $69.95 at Walmart $89.95 Save $20.00 Deals on muscle recovery and stretching equipmentIf you're looking for a travel-sized massage gun, the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini Massage Gun is on sale for $78.82, down from $99.99. For me, the real selling point of this massage gun—which I reviewed in-depth here—is how great the heat therapy feels. Plus, its compact size makes it perfect for travel or bringing to the gym—something I never considered with my full-sized TheraGun Therabody. Some more deals in this realm: 5 in 1 Foam Roller Set, $32.99, down from $39.95 1-Inch Thick Yoga Mat, $29.99, down from $36.99 TriggerPoint Grid 1.0 Foam Roller, $27.99, was $39.99 Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini Massage Gun $78.82 at Amazon $99.99 Save $21.17 Get Deal Get Deal $78.82 at Amazon $99.99 Save $21.17 Deals on headphones and earbudsThe original Shokz OpenRun are available for $89.94, down from a list price of $129.95. They might not have as powerful bass or as long a battery life compared to my favorites, the OpenRun Pro 2 (also on sale right now, for $139.95), but they're still a top choice of open-ear bone conduction headphones. If you're eyeing Sony noise-cancelling headphones that won't put you out hundreds of dollars, the Sony WH-CH720N are available for $94 (originally $179.99) on Amazon right now. For more great deals on home gym equipment (even though, fair warning, many of them exceed this post's $100 benchmark), check out my round-up here. Shokz OpenRun $89.94 at Amazon $129.95 Save $40.01 Get Deal Get Deal $89.94 at Amazon $129.95 Save $40.01 Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 128GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Gray) — $202.00 (List Price $249.99) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Measure brand awareness online by tracking brand mentions, monitoring AI search visibility, and more. View the full article

You can’t afford to take them for granted. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

You can’t afford to take them for granted. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

Golden Pass plant owned by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil may help replace shortages hit by Hormuz crisis View the full article

A pair of landmark court cases found Meta and YouTube guilty last week of harming young users by designing algorithms that were addictive and led to mental health distress. The damages assessed against the companies amounted to a fraction of a percent of their annual earnings. The long-term implications, however, could be far more significant. The rulings found that programmed algorithms are not protected by Section 230, the federal law that shields social media companies from liability for user-posted content. That represents a crack in a legal defense these companies have relied on for years. And thousands of similar cases are already pending. Section 230 has been under scrutiny for some time. Lawmakers have repeatedly called for its repeal, though efforts so far have failed to gain traction. Many in Congress appear to view the threat of repeal as leverage, hoping it will push tech companies to negotiate changes that reflect how the internet has evolved since the law was passed. “Section 230 was created during the early advent of the internet, when lawmakers were trying to give emerging online companies room to innovate and experiment with technologies the public and policymakers barely understood,” says J.B. Branch, AI Governance and Technology Policy Counsel at Public Citizen. “It was never intended to operate as a permanent legal shield for some of the most powerful corporations in the world.” Reframing the argument Has Section 230 lost its protective power? Not yet. The core premise of the law still holds: companies are not liable for user-generated content. What has changed is how plaintiffs can work around that protection. The new cases focus less on what users post and more on how platforms are designed. In other words, product design may be the greater legal vulnerability. “CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, and Evan Spiegel have to rethink how they design products that kids use because they can no longer hide fully behind Section 230,” says Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative, an organization focused on online safety for children. That shift assumes the rulings survive appeals. Meta and YouTube are expected to challenge the decisions, likely setting up a years-long legal battle that could ultimately reach the Supreme Court. Even so, the broader debate has already begun. Forced accountability The implications are significant, particularly when it comes to younger users. The rulings push companies toward a level of accountability that, in some ways, mirrors the trajectory of the adult entertainment industry. It’s an imperfect comparison, but there are parallels, says Ramnath Chellappa, a professor at Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business. Adult sites have increasingly been required to verify users’ ages. Similar mechanisms could emerge for social media. “The mechanism for monitoring … to ensure that a minor is a minor and so on is already a very complex topic,” he says. “What does that involve? Does that involve a third party, or does one need to share their driver’s license information?” Lexi Hazam of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, co-lead of the Social Media MDL, agrees the rulings could force major operational changes, though she stops short of drawing a direct comparison. “The implications are significant and show these tech giants that no company is above accountability when it comes to our children,” she says. “The companies will have to reassess how they design and operate their platforms moving forward … potentially requiring the companies make real changes, including safer platform design, effective age verification, and parental controls that actually work to protect young users.” Not everyone sees weakening Section 230 as beneficial. Critics argue the current debate overemphasizes harms while overlooking benefits. “Public debate about social media and youth mental health focuses almost exclusively on potential harms,” wrote the International Center for Law & Economics’ Ben Sperry and Sabrina Pekarovic in a recent essay, arguing that this emphasis downplays the ways platforms can enable self-expression and connect teens to broader communities. They add that treating all teenagers as equally vulnerable oversimplifies the issue and isn’t supported by the evidence. “Blanket bans assume that all teenagers face similar risks and should be treated alike,” they wrote. “The evidence suggests otherwise.” A Big Tobacco moment Some observers have compared the rulings to a “Big Tobacco” moment for social media, a long-awaited reckoning that could lead to sweeping regulation. That could include changes to Section 230 or a broader overhaul of how platforms operate. Either outcome would carry major financial consequences for companies that have long been dominant players on Wall Street. The potential impact on investors is substantial. One report from the Computer and Communications Industry Association estimates that repealing Section 230 could cost investors $2.2 trillion and lead to roughly 1.1 million lawsuits per year against digital service companies. Some analysts believe the direction is already clear. “The consequences for social networks will be devastating,” says Igor Pejic, a tech investing strategist and author of Tech Money. “Regulation will escalate as it did with the tobacco industry and one day we might see things like required ID authentication. This regulatory trend will not kill social media, but I believe that in a couple of years they will at least lose their status as a Big Tech company.” View the full article

Personalized customer experiences are transforming how businesses connect with consumers. Companies leverage data to offer customized product recommendations based on your purchase history, enhancing convenience and satisfaction. From retargeting campaigns that re-engage previous visitors to proactive live chat support, these strategies are designed to meet individual needs. Comprehending these approaches can help you appreciate how personalization shapes your interactions with brands. What other methods are companies using to create these customized experiences? Key Takeaways Amazon uses personalized recommendations, suggesting complementary items based on user behavior to enhance the shopping experience and increase sales. Netflix tailors content suggestions based on viewing history, ensuring users discover shows and movies aligned with their preferences. Spotify creates customized playlists and music recommendations, enhancing user engagement through tailored listening experiences. Geofencing technology enables retailers to send location-triggered offers, driving foot traffic with relevant promotions when customers are nearby. Personalized email campaigns achieve higher open rates by segmenting audiences and delivering relevant content, increasing customer engagement significantly. Personalized Product Recommendations Based on Purchase History As you navigate your favorite e-commerce platforms, you may notice that customized product recommendations based on your purchase history play a considerable role in shaping your shopping experience. These recommendations, like Amazon’s “Customers who bought this item likewise bought,” effectively increase your average order value by suggesting items that complement what you’ve already purchased. By utilizing algorithms that analyze user behavior, platforms customize suggestions to your preferences, enhancing your overall satisfaction. Research indicates that 82% of consumers are more likely to buy when brands offer personalized recommendations. Retailers like Netflix and Spotify likewise provide personalized experiences by recommending content based on your viewing or listening history. These personalized marketing examples lead to deeper engagement and improved retention. Implementing such strategies can considerably boost revenue, with brands reporting up to a 20% increase in sales. Retargeting Campaigns for Previous Visitors Retargeting campaigns play a crucial role in re-engaging customers who’ve shown interest in a brand but haven’t completed a purchase. By utilizing customer data, these campaigns display personalized ads across various platforms, markedly boosting conversion rates. Here are some effective strategies for your personalized marketing campaigns: Showcase dynamic ads that highlight products viewed or added to the cart. Use Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) to identify retargeting opportunities based on historical interactions. Implement follow-up ads to reduce cart abandonment, potentially recovering up to 30% of abandoned carts. Leverage examples of personalized marketing campaigns that have effectively driven re-engagement. With a 70% higher likelihood of conversion compared to standard ads, retargeting serves as a strong tool. Tailored Drip Email Campaigns When you implement customized drip email campaigns, you can effectively engage your audience at various stages of their customer experience. By segmenting recipients based on their progression, you guarantee each group receives relevant messaging. For instance, customers in the consideration stage may get product reminders, whereas those in the retention stage can receive loyalty rewards. Research shows that personalized email campaigns achieve open rates 26% higher than non-personalized ones, boosting engagement and conversions considerably. Automated drip campaigns can trigger based on specific actions, such as cart abandonment or newsletter sign-ups, allowing you to deliver timely, contextually relevant content. A/B testing different email formats and content improves these personalization efforts. Studies indicate that businesses employing A/B testing see click-through rates increase by over 20%. With 82% of consumers desiring more personalized communications from brands, customized drip email campaigns are vital for meeting customer expectations and improving overall satisfaction. Proactive Live Chat and In-App Messaging Proactive live chat and in-app messaging create improved engagement opportunities by responding to user behavior in real time. When you spend extra time on a product page, for instance, you might receive a prompt offering assistance, which can lead to fewer abandoned carts. This immediate support not just addresses your questions but likewise greatly improves your overall experience with the brand. Enhanced Engagement Opportunities Improved engagement opportunities, such as live chat and in-app messaging, can greatly improve the way businesses interact with customers. Proactive communication guarantees that users receive support exactly when they need it, enhancing their experience. Here are some key benefits: Behavior-Based Assistance: Offers help based on user actions, like time spent on product pages. Timely Support: Predefined rules can trigger chat pop-ups during critical moments in the customer experience. Higher Satisfaction: Studies indicate a 73% increase in customer satisfaction because of immediate assistance. Increased Retention: Personalized messaging strategies can lead to a 20% boost in customer retention. Behavior-Based Triggers Behavior-based triggers play a crucial role in enhancing customer interactions through proactive live chat and in-app messaging. By monitoring specific behaviors, like time spent on a product page or hesitating at checkout, businesses can offer timely assistance that greatly boosts customer satisfaction. Studies show that implementing these triggers can lead to a 20% increase in satisfaction. For instance, automated chat pop-ups can engage customers who linger on checkout pages, effectively addressing potential cart abandonment. Furthermore, in-app messaging can be customized based on previous interactions or purchase history, making the information more relevant. This strategic use of behavior-based triggers can result in a remarkable 30% increase in conversion rates, as customers feel more supported during their shopping experience. Real-Time Assistance As you navigate online shopping or use apps, having immediate access to assistance can greatly elevate your experience. Real-time assistance through proactive live chat and in-app messaging can boost engagement and customer service. Here’s how it benefits you: Higher Satisfaction: Companies using live chat report a 73% satisfaction rate, outperforming traditional support. Increased Retention: In-app messaging can enhance user retention by 20% by offering timely support. Reduced Cart Abandonment: Proactive chat strategies can cut cart abandonment rates by 30%, addressing concerns instantly. Improved Conversion Rates: Real-time chat can increase conversion rates by 45% through personalized interactions. These tools provide relevant information and support at critical moments, ensuring you have the help you need when it matters most. A/B Testing for Audience Engagement A/B testing serves as a potent tool for enhancing audience engagement by allowing marketers to compare two distinct versions of a landing page or marketing asset. By creating variations, you can analyze which design, messaging, or call to action resonates better with specific audience segments. This process not only reveals consumer preferences but also helps optimize your engagement strategies. For instance, companies that rigorously implement A/B testing often experience conversion rate increases of 20% or more. Utilizing historical customer data during these tests guarantees that the variations align with the preferences and behaviors of your targeted segments, thereby enhancing the relevance of your findings. The insights gained from A/B testing can inform broader marketing strategies, allowing you to roll out successful elements to larger audiences. This continual refinement guarantees that your marketing efforts achieve maximum impact, leading to improved customer experiences and higher engagement rates. Customized Calls to Action for Different Journey Stages When crafting effective marketing strategies, comprehension of the different stages of the customer path is crucial for developing customized calls to action (CTAs) that resonate with your audience. Tailoring CTAs to each stage improves engagement and drives conversions. Here are some examples for each progression stage: Awareness Stage: Offer free resources like e-books or introductory discounts to entice potential customers. Consideration Stage: Promote limited-time offers or product demos, appealing to those evaluating their options. Purchase Stage: Use urgent CTAs, such as “Complete Your Purchase Now,” to minimize cart abandonment and encourage immediate sales. Retention Stage: Invite customers to join loyalty programs or receive personalized recommendations, nurturing ongoing engagement and repeat purchases. Geolocation-Based Messaging for Relevant Offers Geolocation-based messaging allows you to receive real-time notifications about offers and discounts when you’re near a store or event. By utilizing location-triggered discounts, retailers can improve your shopping experience, ensuring that the promotions you see are relevant to where you are. This approach not just boosts customer engagement but additionally increases the likelihood of making a purchase, as you’re informed about deals that align with your immediate surroundings. Real-Time Notifications How can brands improve their connection with customers in real-time? By utilizing geolocation-based messaging to send timely notifications when customers are near a store. This approach boosts the relevance of promotions and can greatly increase engagement. Here’s how it works: Geofencing technology triggers alerts for nearby sales or events. Timely notifications guarantee customers receive offers that matter to them. Increased foot traffic often results from engaging location-based messages. Higher conversion rates can occur, with personalized offers leading to a 20% increase. Location-Triggered Discounts Location-triggered discounts represent a potent tool for brands aiming to engage customers in real-time as well as enhancing their shopping experience. By utilizing geolocation technology, retailers can send targeted offers when you’re near their store, making discounts more relevant. Implementing geofencing allows businesses to automatically notify you about nearby sales, driving foot traffic by alerting you to promotions based on your previous purchases. Studies show that personalized offers can greatly boost conversion rates since you’re more likely to redeem discounts when close to the store. Additionally, Nike using geolocation-based messaging can encourage loyalty by delivering timely, personalized experiences that align with your immediate needs. Automation tools streamline this process, allowing for dynamic, relevant offers without manual effort. Frequently Asked Questions What Is an Example of Personalized Customer Experience? A personalized customer experience tailors interactions to meet individual preferences and needs. For instance, when you use a streaming service like Netflix, it analyzes your viewing history and suggests shows or movies that align with your tastes. This not only improves your enjoyment but additionally keeps you engaged with the platform. Such customization cultivates a sense of connection, making the experience more relevant and satisfying for you as a user. What Are the Five 5 Ps of Amazing Customer Experience? The five Ps of amazing customer experience are personalization, proactivity, precision, performance, and passion. Personalization tailors services to individual preferences, whereas proactivity anticipates needs before customers express them. Precision guarantees you deliver accurate information at the right time, enhancing engagement. Performance focuses on continuously improving customer interactions, driving growth. Ultimately, passion nurtures genuine connections, turning satisfied customers into advocates. Together, these elements create a thorough strategy for exceptional customer experiences. What Is Outstanding Customer Experience? Outstanding customer experience (CX) refers to how customers perceive their interactions with a brand throughout their expedition. It encompasses every touchpoint, from initial research to post-purchase support. You’ll find that a seamless experience during the discovery phase is essential, as many consumers prioritize customer service in their purchase decisions. Proactive engagement, quick access to support, and personalized interactions are key elements that improve loyalty and satisfaction, finally nurturing a positive brand perception. What Are Three Things That You Have Done to Give Your Customers a Personalised Experience? To provide customized experiences for your customers, you can segment them based on their progression stages, enhancing messaging relevance. Implementing bespoke product recommendations during checkout can increase supplementary purchases considerably. Moreover, using geolocation technology to send targeted notifications about nearby promotions can drive foot traffic. Finally, conducting A/B testing on landing pages guarantees that you find the most effective messaging for specific audience segments, improving engagement and conversion rates. Conclusion In summary, customized customer experiences are vital for businesses aiming to improve engagement and satisfaction. By utilizing strategies like personalized recommendations, targeted retargeting campaigns, and proactive communication, companies can effectively meet individual customer needs. Implementing A/B testing and geolocation-based messaging further refines these approaches, ensuring relevance at every stage of the customer experience. As demonstrated by successful brands, a focus on personalization not just promotes loyalty but additionally drives sales, making it a key component of modern marketing strategies. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Outstanding Examples of Personalized Customer Experiences" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A business owned by one person is known as a sole proprietorship. This structure allows you to have complete control over your operations and profits, but it likewise means you’re personally liable for any debts the business incurs. For example, if your business faces financial difficulties, your personal assets could be at risk. Comprehending the advantages and disadvantages of this model is vital for anyone considering this path, as it can greatly impact your financial future. Key Takeaways A business owned by one person is called a sole proprietorship, the simplest business structure available. It requires minimal registration and allows the owner full control over business decisions. Profits are reported as personal income, simplifying tax reporting for the owner. Owners face unlimited liability, risking personal assets to cover business debts. Sole proprietorships are common, with over 25 million existing in the United States. Definition and Structure of Sole Proprietorship A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure, owned and operated by a single individual. This form of business allows you to start operating with minimal registration and formalities, making it an appealing option for many. You’ll enjoy all profits generated, which are reported as personal income on your tax returns. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand that as a sole proprietor, you face unlimited liability; your personal assets can be at risk if the business incurs debts. Whereas the main advantage that corporations have is limited liability, a sole proprietorship offers ease of management and control, appealing to those who prefer a direct connection to their business. In the United States, over 25 million sole proprietorships reflect this popularity. Advantages of Sole Proprietorship When you choose a sole proprietorship, you gain full control over your business decisions, allowing you to adapt quickly to changes without needing anyone else’s approval. This structure likewise simplifies tax reporting, as you can report your business income directly on your personal tax return, making the process much more straightforward. With fewer obligations and administrative tasks, you can focus on growing your business effectively. Full Control of Business Owning a sole proprietorship offers you full control over your business decisions, allowing you to operate without the need for consensus from partners or shareholders. As the sole owner, you directly receive all profits, which can greatly boost your financial motivation. Managing a sole proprietorship is simpler, with fewer regulatory requirements, letting you focus on running your business rather than steering compliance issues. You can quickly adapt your strategies or offerings in response to market changes without waiting for formal approvals. Furthermore, you have the flexibility to set your own work hours and business practices, promoting a personalized approach that aligns with your vision. This autonomy allows you to create a business environment that best suits your goals and lifestyle. Simple Tax Reporting Sole proprietorships simplify tax reporting by allowing you to report your business income and expenses directly on your personal tax return using Schedule C of Form 1040. This means you don’t need separate federal tax forms for your business, which reduces complexity and saves time during tax season. If your business incurs losses, those can offset your personal income, potentially lowering your overall tax burden. Furthermore, as a sole proprietor, you’re not subject to corporate taxes, so your profits are only taxed once at your individual rate. This streamlined reporting makes sole proprietorships an appealing choice for individuals starting small businesses, especially if your revenue is lower and you want to minimize tax preparation hassle. Disadvantages of Sole Proprietorship Operating a business as a sole proprietorship comes with several considerable disadvantages that can impact your financial security and long-term viability. Here are some key challenges you might face: You face unlimited personal liability; your assets can be pursued to settle business debts. Raising capital is often harder since you can’t issue shares and lenders may view you as a higher risk. The business’s existence is tied to your life, complicating succession planning and ceasing upon your death or disability. You won’t qualify for unemployment benefits if your business fails, leaving you without a financial safety net. The value of your business drops considerably when you’re no longer operating, making it difficult to sell or transfer ownership. Employment Obligations for Sole Proprietors When running a business as a sole proprietor, comprehension of your employment obligations is vital, especially if you’re planning to hire employees or independent contractors. You must adhere to employment laws, ensuring timely wage payments and maintaining a safe workplace. If you hire employees, you’re responsible for contributing to their Provident Fund and Social Security, which guarantees they receive necessary benefits. Accurate business records, including payroll details, are significant for tax reporting and compliance with labor laws. Furthermore, you need to obtain a taxpayer identification number for hiring and reporting purposes. Don’t forget to file tax returns that report employee wages and withholdings, and register for VAT if your revenue exceeds specific thresholds, ensuring your business remains compliant. Rules for Sole Proprietorships in Various Countries When running a sole proprietorship, it’s vital to understand the rules that vary from country to country. For instance, in the Netherlands, you’ll need to register with the Chamber of Commerce and get a VAT ID, whereas in Ireland, a business name registration is necessary except you use your actual surname. These requirements, along with tax compliance obligations and legal liability considerations, play an important role in how you manage your business effectively. Country-Specific Registration Requirements How do the registration requirements for sole proprietorships vary across different countries? Each nation has distinct rules that you’ll need to follow to operate legally. Here are some examples: In the Netherlands, you must register with the Chamber of Commerce and obtain a VAT ID. In Ireland, if you don’t use your true surname, you’ll need to register your business name officially. Malaysia requires you to register your sole proprietorship within 30 days of starting your business, following various legal regulations. In New Zealand, notifying the Inland Revenue and registering for GST is important if your income exceeds $60,000. In the United Kingdom, registration with HM Revenue and Customs is crucial for tax compliance. Legal Liability Considerations Comprehending the legal liability considerations for sole proprietorships is crucial, as these vary considerably across different countries. In the Netherlands, you must register with the Chamber of Commerce and obtain a VAT ID to operate legally. In Ireland, if you don’t use your true surname, you need to register your business name. Meanwhile, Malaysia requires you to register within 30 days of starting your business under various governing laws. In New Zealand, if your income exceeds $60,000, you must notify the Inland Revenue and register for GST. Finally, in the United Kingdom, registering with HM Revenue and Customs for tax purposes is mandatory, and you often need to comply with local authority regulations. Tax Compliance Obligations Comprehending tax compliance obligations is essential for sole proprietors, as these requirements differ considerably from one country to another. Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know in various locations: Netherlands Chamber of Commerce: Register with the Chamber of Commerce and obtain a VAT ID if your revenue exceeds certain thresholds. Ireland’s Companies Registration Office: Mandatory business name registration if you don’t operate under your true surname. Malaysia: Register your business within 30 days of starting and comply with local business laws. New Zealand: Notify the Inland Revenue and register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) if your income exceeds $60,000. United Kingdom: Register with HM Revenue and Customs and maintain accurate financial records for tax purposes. Staying informed helps guarantee compliance and avoid penalties. Financing Options for Sole Proprietorships When you’re running a sole proprietorship, securing financing can be particularly challenging, especially since lenders often perceive these businesses as riskier than limited liability companies (LLCs) or corporations. A strong personal credit history is vital for you to obtain loans, so maintaining a good credit score is important. You can explore various funding options, including personal loans, small business grants, and microloans from community organizations or non-profits. The SBA’s 7(a) loan program is likewise a valuable resource, offering guaranteed loans that can help you access capital for different business needs. Moreover, you might consider establishing a business line of credit, using personal assets as collateral, but be aware that this increases your personal financial risk. Insurance Considerations for Sole Proprietors Comprehending the importance of insurance is crucial for sole proprietors, as it helps safeguard your business from unexpected risks and liabilities. Here are some types of insurance you should consider: General liability insurance: Protects against lawsuits from accidents or injuries on your business premises. Commercial property insurance: Covers damages to your business assets, including equipment and inventory. Business interruption insurance: Helps recover lost income when operations are halted owing to unforeseen events. Workers’ compensation insurance: Required if you hire employees, covering medical expenses for work-related injuries. Commercial auto insurance: Vital if you use a company vehicle, protecting against accidents and liability from business-related driving. Investing in the right coverage can guarantee your business’s stability and longevity. Comparing Sole Proprietorships With Other Business Structures Sole proprietorships stand out for their simplicity and ease of establishment, yet they similarly have distinct differences compared to other business structures like limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations. For instance, whereas over 25 million sole proprietorships exist in the U.S., they lack personal liability protection, putting your personal assets at risk. Setting up a sole proprietorship is typically cheaper and requires less paperwork than forming an LLC or corporation, which involve more formal registration. Taxation also differs; income from a sole proprietorship is reported on your personal tax return, unlike LLCs, which can choose their tax structure. Furthermore, sole proprietorships limit your ability to raise capital since you can’t sell shares or attract outside investors as corporations can. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Business Owned by One Person Called? A business owned by one person is called a sole proprietorship. This structure allows you to operate independently under your name or a fictitious name without formal registration. You have complete control, but as well unlimited liability, meaning your personal assets could be at risk if the business incurs debts. Sole proprietorships are popular, especially among small business owners, owing to their simplicity, ease of setup, and minimal regulatory requirements, in spite of challenges in raising capital. What Is a Business With Only One Person Called? A business with only one person is called a sole proprietorship. This structure allows you to operate independently without formal registration requirements, making it straightforward to start. As a sole proprietor, you’re responsible for all business debts and liabilities, which means your personal assets are at risk. You report income and expenses on your personal tax return, particularly on Schedule C of Form 1040, allowing for a simplified tax process. Can an LLC Be Owned by Only One Person? Yes, an LLC can be owned by just one person, known as a single-member LLC. This structure provides you with limited liability protection, meaning your personal assets are usually safe from business debts. Furthermore, you benefit from pass-through taxation, as profits and losses are reported on your personal tax return. To establish a single-member LLC, you need to file formation documents with your state and may require specific business licenses and permits. Is It Better to Be an LLC or a Sole Proprietor? Choosing between an LLC and a sole proprietorship depends on your business needs. An LLC offers limited liability protection, safeguarding your personal assets from business debts, whereas a sole proprietorship exposes you to unlimited personal liability. If you seek flexibility in taxation and easier access to funding, an LLC may be preferable. On the other hand, if you want a straightforward setup with less paperwork, a sole proprietorship could be a better fit for your simpler business operations. Conclusion In summary, a sole proprietorship offers a simple and flexible business structure for individuals seeking to run their own enterprises. As you enjoy complete control and direct profit from your business, it’s important to recognize the risks of unlimited personal liability. Comprehending employment obligations, financing options, and insurance needs is vital for success. Moreover, comparing this structure with others can help you make informed decisions about the best path for your business goals and personal circumstances. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is a Business Owned by One Person?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

They say the best camera is the one you have with you. But if everyone has at least a pretty good camera in their phone, why would Gen Z (and really, everyone) be drawn to retro photography? Despite the downsides of bulky, standalone film cameras, the aesthetics and tangibility of old school photography still has a lot to offer. When we talk about “retro” photography, there’s a lot we could mean, but there’s a distinct revival trend around 80s- and 90s-style camera gear and aesthetics we want to focus on. Think Polaroid cameras and standalone point-and-shoots. And if you’re not already drawn in by the appeal of tangible photos and nostalgic vibes, allow me to make the case for why you should. What is the appeal of retro photography?There’s a tendency to think of camera technology as steadily progressing forward in a linear fashion. But for creative purposes, it’s often more helpful to think of it in terms of aesthetic eras. Every type of camera has distinct physical qualities that contribute to the appearance of the images they create. And those qualities, over time, become associated with the times and images they capture. For one very obvious example, consider film grain. As this video essay from YouTube channel Nerdwriter explores, film grain was initially just an artifact of how film cameras work. As it became possible to eliminate film grain, however, our brains started associating this grain with older cinema, or a more generic “film look.” With more control over how—and whether—film grain appears in an image, it can be used to deliberately create a chaotic energy in otherwise still footage. This same principle applies to the aesthetics of every era of camera technology. 90s point-and-shoots, for example, were characterized by harsh, unflattering lighting. They typically had poor low-light performance, so a blinding flash was sometimes the only viable source of light. Now, with better cameras and lighting equipment, that look can become a deliberate stylistic choice. Film and instant cameras also provide a tangible experience that forces more deliberate choices. You might notice a lot of your old family photos have a kind of awkward, staged vibe, and there’s a reason for that. When you only had a dozen or so chances to take a picture, you had to be more careful to make sure everyone is posed and in frame, eyes are open, etc. Now, it’s easy to take dozens of photos until you get the right one, but going back to limited use cameras can force you back into thinking ahead about the image you want. And when it comes to instant cameras, there’s nothing quite like the experience of having a physical memento immediately. Everyone has piles of photos in their camera roll that they’ll never look at again, but if someone hands you a Polaroid of you and your loved ones, there’s a solid chance it’s going on your fridge or in your scrapbook. If nothing else, there’s also something to be said for photography without all the AI nonsense that’s so unavoidable now. We have guides on how to take photos on Android or iOS without all the post processing junk. But that can only go so far. On some level, every modern smartphone is doing some kind of digital processing to create a look that’s appealing to the vast majority of users. That can result in a smoothed over, generic look that might not actually be what you want. These are the best retro photography optionsSo, okay, you’re sold on the idea of experimenting with nostalgic aesthetics. Where can you get started? The great news here is that you have well over a century of camera history to play around with. Used camera gear is going to be your friend, and you can often find great tools for relatively cheap either online or at local photography shops. In general, there are a few interesting categories of dedicated cameras to check out: Polaroid-style instant cameras. Through a convoluted process of bankruptcy, acquisitions, and relaunches, Polaroid is back, but it’s not the only game in town anymore. Fujifilm, Kodak, and Lomography all offer their own brands of instant cameras that can snap photos and immediately print them out. Classic digital point-and-shoots. Today’s point-and-shoots are geared a bit more towards professional photographers who want a high degree of control. But you can find a lot of cheap, used digital cameras from the last couple decades that still take surprisingly good photos. In many cases, the digital noise or lens artifacts that would’ve been considered flaws when these cameras were new can offer creative opportunities to get a specific nostalgic look. Ancient smartphones. The earliest smartphones from the late 2000s had some pretty atrocious cameras by modern standards. But they also lacked a lot of the AI and post-processing that’s come to dominate the landscape today. You can find cheap, used smartphones on sites like eBay for as little as $50, which can be a handy way to get some authentically aughts-era photos without having to fake it. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera Mint Green and Fuji Film Value Pack (60 Sheets) Bundle with Sturdy Tiger Accessories, Carrying Case, Photo Album 64 Pockets $171.95 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $171.95 at Amazon Some camera gear—particularly when it comes to DSLR and mirrorless camera lenses and systems—can retain their value for long periods of time. But there’s a wide range of used or outdated camera gear circulating that provide distinct looks and feels. As you explore older cameras, pay attention to the unique aspects of the photos they create, and experiment with how you can use those traits to convey a different story. How to get started with retro photographyCamera and smartphone manufacturers will never let you forget about their latest and greatest hardware, but where do you go to find the best gear from a decade or two ago? The used market for photography equipment can be scattered and fractured, but here are some tips to get started with your hunt: Check out your local photography or thrift stores. Few things can be more useful to a photographer than that one shop in town that always seems to have a used lens or proprietary power adapter that you need for your camera. And sometimes, if they trade in used camera gear, you can find unique devices that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. If you establish an ongoing relationship with your local camera shop, you can even get the opportunity to try out gear you might otherwise have to buy to experiment with. Search specialty camera gear sites. You can always find used cameras on generic auction sites like eBay, but for my money, I like checking out specialty sites like Adorama and Precision Camera. These sites offer a selection of used camera gear, and sometimes receive a better selection than you find on eBay. Every once in a while, I’ll sort the used camera section by lowest price and scroll to see what kind of budget options are on offer. Join a local photography group. Camera gear is expensive, but you don’t always need to invest a ton of money just to explore different aesthetics. In many cities, groups of photography enthusiasts will get together for photo walks or just to meet up and trade tips. Making friends with other photographers is a great way to learn from others and even share experience with each other’s equipment. Even if you don’t want to invest in camera gear specifically, it can be a helpful exercise to look back through photos from past eras and observe what they have in common. Pull out your old family photo albums and compare them to the photos on your phone. Grab a movie from your childhood and examine how it looks different from the polished reboot that just dropped a couple years ago. In photography—and all art—the details matter. A difference in color saturation, noise texture, or even how an image is framed can convey a world of meaning. As you explore the aesthetics of retro photography, your grasp of contemporary visual media can grow, making you better able to express yourself through visual art. View the full article

Oracle has unveiled a significant technological advancement that promises to streamline operations for small restaurants and food services: the new Smart Assistant integrated into the Oracle Simphony Cloud Point of Sale (POS) system. This generative AI tool aims to empower restaurant teams to handle technical and operational challenges with unprecedented efficiency. For small business owners navigating the complexities of restaurant management, this innovation could be a game changer. With the Smart Assistant, restaurant staff can ask straightforward questions like, “Why isn’t the workstation printer working?” or “Why can’t I log in to Simphony?” The AI delivers immediate, actionable insights tailored to each brand’s specific guidelines, significantly enhancing the operational workflow. “The Oracle Simphony Cloud Smart Assistant is a game-changer for restaurant operators,” said Etienne Piat, vice president of service excellence and innovations at Oracle Consumer Industries. The AI tool not only reduces the workload for IT teams but also empowers staff to resolve common issues on the spot, ensuring that focus remains on providing exceptional guest service. One of the most appealing aspects for small business owners is the Smart Assistant’s ability to minimize dependency on external support. By allowing in-house staff to troubleshoot technical issues, restaurants can save both time and money. The contextual nature of the Smart Assistant means that staff can quickly access personalized support just by clicking on on-screen error messages. This feature transforms potentially stressful situations into manageable tasks, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction. Early users of the Smart Assistant are already reporting improvements in their operations. The capability to integrate brand-specific standard operating procedures ensures that guidance reflects unique business practices. This offers a consistent approach across various locations, allowing small restaurant chains or franchises to maintain compliance without added complexity. This cohesive support can significantly improve both efficiency and service quality, essential factors for businesses aiming to stand out in a competitive market. Real-world applications of the Smart Assistant are vast. With immediate access to insights, staff can troubleshoot common POS issues such as login failures or device connectivity problems, thus reducing downtime. The built-in generative AI, trained on extensive Simphony documentation, enables meaningful answers to arise in real-time. This minimizes the need for external support calls and boosts first-time resolution rates—two critical metrics for any business looking to optimize operations. However, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Implementing a new technology often requires training staff to effectively utilize new tools, which can initially divert attention from daily operations. Employees will need time to adapt to this system and provide feedback to refine the accuracy of AI responses. Moreover, while self-service technology can reduce support costs, it’s vital that businesses maintain a balance between automation and human assistance. As this technology becomes more ubiquitous, small restaurants will need to weigh the benefits against the potential disruption that comes with integrating a new system. Nonetheless, the Oracle Simphony Smart Assistant’s advantages appear significant, particularly for businesses striving to maintain peak performance while prioritizing customer experience. The Smart Assistant will be broadly available to Simphony Cloud customers worldwide within the next 12 months, supporting over 100 languages. As small businesses consider their operational strategies moving forward, it’s clear that advancements like these could redefine how restaurants handle in-house technical support and operational efficiency. For more details on how the Smart Assistant could benefit your restaurant, visit Oracle’s dedicated webpage. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Oracle Launches AI-Powered Smart Assistant to Revolutionize Restaurant Support" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Oracle has unveiled a significant technological advancement that promises to streamline operations for small restaurants and food services: the new Smart Assistant integrated into the Oracle Simphony Cloud Point of Sale (POS) system. This generative AI tool aims to empower restaurant teams to handle technical and operational challenges with unprecedented efficiency. For small business owners navigating the complexities of restaurant management, this innovation could be a game changer. With the Smart Assistant, restaurant staff can ask straightforward questions like, “Why isn’t the workstation printer working?” or “Why can’t I log in to Simphony?” The AI delivers immediate, actionable insights tailored to each brand’s specific guidelines, significantly enhancing the operational workflow. “The Oracle Simphony Cloud Smart Assistant is a game-changer for restaurant operators,” said Etienne Piat, vice president of service excellence and innovations at Oracle Consumer Industries. The AI tool not only reduces the workload for IT teams but also empowers staff to resolve common issues on the spot, ensuring that focus remains on providing exceptional guest service. One of the most appealing aspects for small business owners is the Smart Assistant’s ability to minimize dependency on external support. By allowing in-house staff to troubleshoot technical issues, restaurants can save both time and money. The contextual nature of the Smart Assistant means that staff can quickly access personalized support just by clicking on on-screen error messages. This feature transforms potentially stressful situations into manageable tasks, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction. Early users of the Smart Assistant are already reporting improvements in their operations. The capability to integrate brand-specific standard operating procedures ensures that guidance reflects unique business practices. This offers a consistent approach across various locations, allowing small restaurant chains or franchises to maintain compliance without added complexity. This cohesive support can significantly improve both efficiency and service quality, essential factors for businesses aiming to stand out in a competitive market. Real-world applications of the Smart Assistant are vast. With immediate access to insights, staff can troubleshoot common POS issues such as login failures or device connectivity problems, thus reducing downtime. The built-in generative AI, trained on extensive Simphony documentation, enables meaningful answers to arise in real-time. This minimizes the need for external support calls and boosts first-time resolution rates—two critical metrics for any business looking to optimize operations. However, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Implementing a new technology often requires training staff to effectively utilize new tools, which can initially divert attention from daily operations. Employees will need time to adapt to this system and provide feedback to refine the accuracy of AI responses. Moreover, while self-service technology can reduce support costs, it’s vital that businesses maintain a balance between automation and human assistance. As this technology becomes more ubiquitous, small restaurants will need to weigh the benefits against the potential disruption that comes with integrating a new system. Nonetheless, the Oracle Simphony Smart Assistant’s advantages appear significant, particularly for businesses striving to maintain peak performance while prioritizing customer experience. The Smart Assistant will be broadly available to Simphony Cloud customers worldwide within the next 12 months, supporting over 100 languages. As small businesses consider their operational strategies moving forward, it’s clear that advancements like these could redefine how restaurants handle in-house technical support and operational efficiency. For more details on how the Smart Assistant could benefit your restaurant, visit Oracle’s dedicated webpage. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Oracle Launches AI-Powered Smart Assistant to Revolutionize Restaurant Support" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

New CPE webinar with Bradley Burnett, this Thursday, April 2. With Bradley Burnett CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Bradley Burnett. View the full article

New CPE webinar with Bradley Burnett, this Thursday, April 2. With Bradley Burnett CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Bradley Burnett. View the full article

What does it take to build a career in SEO in 2026? We analyzed 3,900 job listings to uncover how the role is evolving—from experimentation and AI to shifts in salaries, responsibilities, and the growing demand for strategic thinking. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. One of my favorite ways to spend my free time is watching old movies. I love catching up on classics on my big OLED screen, and delving into the history of a medium I love. Unfortunately, it’s harder to do that with video games. While pulling up an old movie is usually as easy as finding it on streaming or renting it digitally, old video games are split across a number of different consoles, and you can’t always count on rereleases to make them accessible on modern systems. Luckily, there are still options for those who go looking for them. You can hunt down a vintage system and hook it up to your modern screen using an adapter, yes, but you can also use the power of modern devices to “emulate” these games in virtual environments, often with improvements—and if you do it right, it's all perfectly legal. What is video game emulation?Emulation is a massive rabbit hole, and can get about as deep as you want it to be. I’ve been using it for decades, and I’m still learning new things. But there are some basics you should know that will help you get started, including how it works, its legal status, the drawbacks of not playing on real hardware, and the benefits it offers beyond simple convenience. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt Essentially, emulation uses the power of modern machines to brute force virtual environments that are close enough to real hardware that files designed for it think they’re running on the real deal, and will boot up like they are. Usually, this means emulators won’t come out until one or two generations after a console's official release, but there are now emulators for everything from the Nintendo Entertainment System to the Nintendo Switch (which runs on older hardware than you might think). Granted, you might expect Nintendo’s not too happy about that, but the kicker is that there’s not a lot the company can do about it (aside from trying its best to scare emulator developers). A court case from way back in the day ruled that, so long as emulators don’t distribute copyrighted software, they’re allowed to write their own code that mimics official hardware all they want. That means you’ll need to provide your own games for your emulators, and in some cases BIOS (or operating system) files. To stay on the right side of the law, most emulator guides won’t tell you how to go about that, but there’s at least one method that’s totally fair game. It turns out that U.S. law allows you to make your own backup copies of games you own, so long as you don’t distribute them. With that, there are plenty of legal devices that will help you rip your game files from your own cartridges and discs, some of which I cover here. Some emulators are even so advanced that they’ll play your real discs if you simply put them in your PC’s disc drive. Still, even if everything’s above board, there are a few drawbacks to emulating rather than playing on real hardware. The biggest issue you’ll notice is with accuracy, as some games might have graphics or audio bugs. Input lag is also a common complaint, as emulators often need extra time to register your button presses, since they need to both read them and feed them through your software. Finally, some games might not even run on emulators at all, especially ones with unusual requirements. The original Xbox, for instance, is notoriously difficult to emulate. On the flip side, though, there are benefits to emulating that real hardware can’t replicate, and they mostly come from the extra power of your modern device. Emulated games can often run smoother than on real hardware, hitting higher frame rates. You’re also usually able to render your games at higher resolutions than originally intended, basically playing them in HD. And most importantly for difficult games or flexible play sessions, you can use save states, which allow you to quickly save your current place in a game to a file, and reload it on demand. This, in turn, allows you to save your game whenever, outside of whatever save system is built into it. It’s perfect if you only have a few minutes to play, or if you’re about to fight a difficult boss in a punishing retro game and don’t want to replay the whole level if you mess up (no judgment here). Because save states essentially take your emulator back in time, they can introduce instability, so it’s advised to use them in addition to more traditional saves, rather than as a full-on replacement for them. Emulators for more modern, difficult-to-run HD systems also may not support save states. Still, those are enough improvements that I often prefer playing retro games through emulation, even if I have real hardware available to me. And while some of those enhancements are available on official emulation—Nintendo Switch Online has save states, for instance—not all of them are. I haven’t even gotten into widescreen hacks, which lets you play old 3D games in a more modern aspect ratio without stretching the video, or HD texture packs yet. Benefits like these are why, if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease, unofficial emulators are well worth trying out. What you need to start emulatingThe fans who develop emulators are crafty, and they’ve had plenty of time to refine their work, so most modern devices are able to emulate retro games to some degree. It’s become a running joke that Doom will play on just about anything, including a pregnancy test. But from a realistic point of view, there are a few things you’ll probably want on hand before you get started. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt If you’re playing on a laptop or a desktop computer hooked up to a monitor, you’ll probably want a controller. Most emulators will support mouse and keyboard controls if you truly can’t get one, but using a controller will help a lot with the old school console experience. Aside from that, though, you might be all set. I have a desktop PC that’s pushing 10 years old at this point, and it’s still able to emulate games through the PS2 and GameCube era at full speed, while upscaling them. Beyond that is when emulation tends to get a bit more demanding, but for retro games, you probably won’t need to upgrade your machine. If you want to play on a TV, though, you could have a bit more of a shopping list in store for you. In addition to a controller, you’ll also need some type of computer to emulate your games with, and while you can drag a laptop or desktop PC into your living room, it’s often not the most convenient solution. Instead, I suggest getting either a docked Steam Deck or a Raspberry Pi. The former’s a bit pricier, and has had stock issues during the RAM crisis, but it’s also compact, plenty powerful when it comes to emulation, easy to output to a TV via a dock, and can play PC games natively, too. With the right Steam Deck emulation setup, you can essentially turn it into your own homebrew Nintendo Switch, but for all your consoles. The latter, meanwhile, is far cheaper (although its price has also been inflated by the RAM crisis) and smaller, but will take a bit of knowhow to set up and can struggle when emulating systems released after the PS1. Your best bet if you choose to go this route is probably to buy a Raspberry Pi kit, as these will come with a case, cables, storage, and often a fan to get you started. You can also sometimes find these cheaper than a Raspberry Pi motherboard on its own. But again, the world is your oyster when it comes to which devices you want to emulate with. It’s possible to emulate on a streaming stick or box, too. Generally, if a device has a motherboard and can display a video signal, people will usually find a way to game on it. To wit, you should look into emulating on mobile devices, too. These days, it’s possible to both emulate on an iPhone and on Android, and there is a whole slew of handheld gaming consoles that essentially build controllers into phone hardware running Android to give you an experience similar to a DS or PSP. These can be a great way to play portably, whether using touch controls, a Bluetooth controller, or built-in controls. And if you get a USB-C dock, you can then connect these devices to the big screen to play on them when you get home. You can even get a cheap handheld that runs Linux, for a similar experience to a Raspberry Pi while on the go. Read on here for more details about portable emulation. Which emulators to get, and how to set them upNow, it’s time to actually install your emulators, of which you have many choices. I've compiled a list of the apps you’ll probably be using to emulate your games, depending on the platforms you're interested in, before going into how to get them: Retroarch: An app with multiple emulator “cores” in it, that can run games from most systems up through the PS1 era, including the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Duckstation: A standalone app for emulating PS1, with enhanced stability and graphics features compared to Retroarch. Mupen64Plus: A standalone app for emulating Nintendo 64, with enhanced stability and graphics features compared to Retroarch. Flycast: A standalone Sega Dreamcast emulator with support for upscaled graphics and widescreen hacks. MelonDS: A standalone Nintendo DS emulator with community-driven forks that can run on two separate displays for a more authentic experience. Azahar: A standalone Nintendo 3DS emulator with community-driven forks that can run on two separate displays for a more authentic experience. Supports custom graphics drivers on mobile. PPSSPP: A standalone PSP emulator with a highly themed user interface reminiscent of the original console. Dolphin: A standalone GameCube and Wii emulator with high stability, support for custom mobile graphics drivers and upscaled graphics, and the ability to use motion controls. Usually preferable to emulating PS2 or Xbox, if playing a multi-platform game. PCSX2: A standalone PS2 emulator with support for upscaled graphics. Best used for PS2 exclusives. Not available on mobile. NetherSX2: A standalone PS2 emulator for mobile. Many of the same features as Dolphin, but lower stability, and no motion control or custom driver support. Cemu: A standalone Wii U emulator with support for custom mobile graphics drivers and upscaled graphics. No save state support. Requires a high-end machine. RPCS3: A standalone PS3 emulator with support for upscaled graphics, custom mobile graphics drivers, and save states. Requires a high-end machine. Eden: A standalone Nintendo Switch emulator with support for upscaled graphics and custom graphics drivers on mobile. No save state support. Requires a high-end machine. Phew, that’s a lot. On the plus side, most of these emulators are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, although iOS users have a bit less to pick from, as Apple restrictions on certain programming techniques mean higher-end devices like GameCube and beyond are difficult to run on its phones. On the plus side, iOS does have access to some potentially more convenient options for older systems, like Delta, which comes with cute touchscreen control overlays built-in. Now, you could install these apps one-by-one, point them at your game files (which you’ll usually be guided through as part of setup), and play your games by booting up the specific emulator you want and picking the game you want to play from a list. But not only is that slow and inconvenient, it’s not as pretty and is less like using an actual retro console. To solve that problem, we have installers and frontends. Emulator installersIn this case, installers are programs that will help you set up all your emulators in one fell swoop, or will sort your games into collections by system or genre for you, and will boot you into the appropriate emulator when you select a game. For installers, you have a few options. My favorite is Emudeck, which despite being named after the Steam Deck, will run you through a simple setup wizard that will install any emulator you could possibly want, whether you’re on steamOS, Linux, or Windows. There’s also an Android version in the works, and you can get early access to it if you subscribe to the development team’s Patreon. Alternatively, there’s Retrodeck. This is a Linux-only tool, but some users prefer it to Emudeck thanks to more fluid hotkey settings and a less bug-prone (but potentially slower) update process. Nicedeck is another alternative that aims to hit a middle-ground between Emudeck and Retrodeck, and conveniently is the only one of these options that also works for Mac. As someone who just manually installed a bunch of Android emulators one-by-one, I would highly recommend using an installer to automate the process instead—´specially because many Android emulators need to be sideloaded, something that is about to get harder starting next year. An installer will also usually help you set up configurations like individual desired aspect ratio and upscaling settings for each system you want to play, too, which will save you some tedious trips to each individual emulator’s settings menu. But just because your emulators are installed doesn’t mean we’re done yet. Instead of having to bounce from emulator app to emulator app and scroll through what can often be ugly built-in menus, let’s put all your games in one convenient, easy-on-the-eyes place. Emulator frontendsA frontend is an app that will sort your games by system, or by custom collections you set up, like genre. You’ll choose a game from one of its many lists, and the frontend will tell the appropriate emulator app to boot up the game. Then, when you’re done gaming, your emulator will take you back to your frontend. It’s a much more intuitive and console-like experience, and people have created plenty of themes to make them look just as nice as official console menus. Many frontends even come with “scrapers” built in, so they can fetch and display box art next to your games. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt The most common and robust choice here is ES-DE, or Emulation Station Desktop Edition. It’s what I use personally, and comes packaged with installers like Emudeck and Retrodeck. It has the most configuration options available for it, but can be a bit slow to boot. Also, while it’s free on Windows, Mac, and Linux, a small one-time Patreon donation is required to get the app for Android. ES-DE alternatives on desktop are rare, but options like LaunchBox may be preferable for some users. Other frontend apps are more common on Android, as ES-DE took some time to come to Android, and some users prefer a more playful interface while on mobile. Popular free options include Daijisho and Beacon, although I’m particularly interested in Cocoon, which is modeled after the Nintendo 3DS menu and has built-in dual screen support. Another option, if all of this sounds like too much setup, is to use Batocera. This is a Linux install that essentially packages largely pre-configured emulators for a wide variety of systems alongside a customized version of Emulation Station. Basically, you install it on your compatible device and boot into it separate from your main operating system, so everything lives in its own confined home. While that means it’s a bit limited, it’s also mostly plug-and-play. It’s also possible to run Batocera off a USB stick or SD card, if you don’t want to install it onto your device’s internal storage. How to choose and install emulators and frontends for different systems and devices could be a whole series of articles on its own, but the community is welcoming, and is doing its best to make emulation easy and available to as many people as possible. The above programs should be enough to get you started, but if you have additional questions, experts like Retro Game Corps and subreddits like r/emulation are always there to help you out. How to make your games look old school (or HD) Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt When emulating a game, you have three options: You can go with the raw emulation output, which will by default usually mimic a console’s native resolution but might not look fully accurate depending on the screen you’re playing on; you can upscale the resolution for a more HD image, and can even apply fanmade texture packs to make individual games look even crisper; or, you can turn on a CRT filter to try to get a more retro feel, as well as help pixel art or low polygon models look a bit smoother. Frankly, this is another area where it’s possible to go on for days. You can mix and match different options from these approaches to your heart’s content, and Retroarch alone has hundreds of filter and shader options built-in (options do differ from emulator to emulator). Improving the look of 3D emulated gamesFor 3D games, the idea is to try to get a more modern experience. Widescreen hacks are a good place to start. These extend the aspect ratio to 16:9, then apply tweaks to the emulation so that the screen renders more of the play environment instead of simply stretching the default 4:3 image. It doesn’t work for every game, and can break the design in others (Resident Evil has very purposeful camera angles), but it’s often worth trying, especially in games where situational awareness is helpful, like platformers. HD Texture packs, meanwhile, help clear up low-resolution HUDs or 2D assets (which are still quite prevalent in 3D retro games) that won’t be covered by upscaling. These need to be developed on a per-game basis, so you’ll need to search for them, but a popular example is Henriko Magnifico’s 4K Zelda texture packs. Personally, I do think these can sometimes interfere with a developer’s intended art style too much, but some people swear by them. Improving the look of 2D emulated gamesFor 2D games, I like to try to make my game look like it’s playing on an old-school TV, and that’s not just for flavor. Pixel art was designed with CRT televisions in mind, which would smooth and blur harsh edges together to make pixels look more hand drawn (here’s a good example). You lose that effect if you just use raw emulation footage on a modern television, but you can mostly get it back with the right filters. This is far from a solved issue, but so far, my favorite option is the zfast-crt.slangp shader in Retroarch (found in the Quick Menu under Shaders). This is a subtle effect that feels far more accurate to me than the CRT filters often included in official retro game collections, and it’ll work on any device that runs Retroarch. What’s great is that, because this is included with Retroarch, it’ll also work for any system that Retroarch supports, which includes most retro consoles you would play 2D games on. But CRTs provided an additional benefit beyond making pixel art look nice. Because of the way they scan in their images, they’re highly resistant to motion blur. If you have a device with a 120Hz screen, you can mimic this using a technique called black frame insertion. This technique inserts a single black frame into every other frame of your video output, breaking up the image and helping your eyes reset. While this will slow down your gameplay on a standard 60Hz screen, a 120Hz screen will let you use black frame insertion while still getting 60 fps gameplay. This is built into a toggle in Retroarch’s default Settings > Video > Synchronization page, but to be honest, I find this implementation comes with some pretty intense flickering. Instead, I prefer the crt-beam-simulator.slangp shader developed by the folks over at Blur Busters, which has a more subtle effect that looks more like the old school TVs I remember from back in the day. Getting this running in Retroarch takes a few extra steps, but luckily, Retro Game Corps has a great video walking through it, including how to tweak it to your liking and combine it with the zfast-crt.slangp if you’d like. With tools like these, it’s clear that the appetite for playing games from older consoles isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, even if it’s harder than pulling up an old movie on Netflix. Whether you’re on PC, Mac, a Steam Deck, or mobile, you’ve got plenty of options already, even as hardware costs rise. From where I'm sitting, the frontier for retro gaming looks bright. View the full article